A Nuclear Talibanistan? - Tony Blankley, Washington Times / Real Clear Politics opinion
Our view of Pakistan's role in the war in Afghanistan has undergone an ominous but necessary series of shifts. At the outset of the war, in October 2001, Pakistan correctly was seen as a necessary ally -- both politically and geographically...
Over the years, we came to understand that Pakistan's intelligence service was playing a double game -- helping us but also supporting the Taliban -- while Pakistan's northern area became a safe haven for both the Taliban and al-Qaida.
Thus, Pakistan came to be seen as part of the problem that the Obama administration reasonably has taken to calling the "AfPak" war. Gen. David Petraeus recently told a Senate committee that he sees Pakistan and Afghanistan as "a single theater...
Now another perception shift is starting to take hold: The increasing instability of Pakistan's government makes Pakistan -- more than Afghanistan -- the central challenge of our "AfPak" policy...
More at Real Clear Politics.
Islamic Law Now Official for a Valley in Pakistan - Sabrina Tavernese, New York Times
President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan has signed a measure that would impose Islamic law in the northwestern valley of Swat, in a move that was largely seen as a capitulation to Taliban militants.
Mr. Zardari's approval came late Monday, after Parliament voted overwhelmingly for the measure, which would allow militants to administer justice through courts whose judges have Islamic training.
The local government in Swat agreed in February to allow the militants to impose Islamic law in exchange for a cease-fire. The deal came after months of fighting, during which the Pakistani Army was unable to subdue the militants...
More at The New York Times.
US Criticizes Pakistan's Deal On Islamic Law - Associated Press / Washington Post
The Obama administration said Pakistan's imposition of Islamic law in a northwest valley to quell a Taliban insurgency undermines human rights, while a visiting US senator urged the country to "ratchet up" its urgency in the terror fight.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs's comments Tuesday were the most pointed US criticisms of Pakistan's peace efforts in the Swat Valley to date...
More at The Washington Post.